# Early Independence: BBSRC Fellowships (Full Stage)

**Funder:** BBSRC
**Budget:** 80% FEC; ~15 grants awarded; no upper FEC limit
**Deadline:** 23 September 2026 (4:00pm UK time. Invitation-only full stage — applicants must have been shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203).)
**Duration:** 3 years
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** 2-stage: outline (OPP1203) → full stage (this call, by invitation only)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/early-independence-bbsrc-fellowships-full-stage/
**Last verified:** 1 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Early independence fellowship for researchers seeking to establish their own research niche within a UK host organisation eligible for BBSRC funding. Open to any nationality but fellowship must be based in the UK. No time-bound post-PhD eligibility criteria. Covers personal salary, consumables, travel, training, technician support (specialist only); no equipment purchases permitted. BBSRC funds 80% FEC; ~15 awards expected.

## Summary

The BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship (Full Stage) funds researchers establishing their own research niche within UK host organisations, with 80% FEC funding covering salary, consumables, travel, training, and technician support over three years. This is an invitation-only full stage; applicants must have been shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203). Around 15 fellowships are awarded annually, open to any nationality provided the fellowship is based in the UK.

## Who should apply

- Researchers seeking to establish an independent research group in the biosciences
- Applicants shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203)
- Early-career researchers with no strict time-bound post-PhD eligibility window
- Researchers hosting their fellowship at a UK institution eligible for BBSRC funding
- Projects requiring salary, consumables, travel, training, and specialist technician support

## Key dates

- Outline stage deadline: check OPP1203 call (shortlisting determines this invitation-only full stage eligibility)
- Full stage deadline: 4:00pm UK time, Wednesday 23 September 2026
- Three-year fellowship duration

## Tips for applicants

- Only shortlisted outline-stage applicants may submit; confirm your invitation before investing time in the full proposal.
- No equipment purchases are permitted, structure your budget around salary, consumables, travel, and people, not capital items.
- BBSRC funds 80% FEC; budget your institutional overhead realistically and confirm your host organisation's eligible status in advance.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship provide?

BBSRC funds 80% Full Economic Cost (FEC) with no upper limit; approximately 15 awards are made per year across all applicants.

### Who is eligible for the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship?

Researchers of any nationality seeking to establish an independent research group, provided the fellowship is based at a UK institution eligible for BBSRC funding. There is no strict time-bound post-PhD eligibility criterion.

### Is the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship invitation-only?

Yes, the full stage is invitation-only; only researchers shortlisted from the outline stage (OPP1203) may submit a full proposal.

### What can I use the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship budget for?

You may fund personal salary, consumables, travel, training, and specialist technician support, but equipment purchases are not permitted.

### How long is the BBSRC Early Independence Fellowship?

The fellowship runs for three years.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/bbsrc-early-independence-bbsrc-fellowships-full-stage-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.